U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young, who successfully sued CNN for defamation earlier this year, is facing legal setbacks as his follow-up lawsuits against Associated Press (AP) and Puck have been dismissed by Judge William Henry. The judge, who also presided over Young’s trial against CNN, ruled that the new suits lacked legal merit and compared them to ‘sequels’ that should not be made, citing insufficient development and forced narratives.
Young’s initial lawsuit against CNN gained significant attention after a Florida jury found that CNN defamed him by implying he illegally profited from helping people flee Afghanistan during the Biden administration’s military withdrawal. The jury awarded him $4 million in lost earnings, $1 million in personal damages, and punitive damages. However, a settlement was reached before the punitive damages were finalized. The AP, which had previously reported on the story, has defended its coverage, stating it was an accurate reflection of the jury’s findings.
Following the CNN verdict, Young launched additional lawsuits against AP and Puck, claiming they republished false statements. Judge Henry dismissed both cases, stating that the AP’s report was factual and that Young’s follow-up suits were attempts to repackage the original story. The judge also dismissed Young’s Puck lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be appealed. Young is expected to appeal the AP dismissal, but the court’s reasoning suggests that the cases were legally unsound.
CNN has stated it will take ‘useful lessons’ from the case and remain committed to its reporting standards. The outcome of Young’s legal battles continues to draw attention to media accountability and the legal boundaries of defamation claims in journalism.